Monday, February 27, 2012

We made this awesome Lego table for this kids this year and it turned out way too great not to share. We found the idea here Family Fun Magazine. It wasn't cheap but it was totally worth it. Our Legos are always organized, I hardly ever find them in the path of the vacuum and the kids love creating masterpieces on top of it.

I know there are a million posts on this on the web, but just in case you are following me here, I thought I would add mine. We are on well water and I am pretty stubborn about what goes in our water. Plus, I am trying to cut the "fat" from our budget so I made our own "detergent" when ours ran out. You can use citric acid in place of the Kool Aid, but it is more expensive and this way works just great. Make sure you completely rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

What you need:

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

2 envelopes lemonade Kool Aid (not sugar free)

1/2 cup salt

10 or so drops of essential oil if you want a fragrance

empty container

Fill the container, give it a shake and add 1/2T to each cup in your dishwasher.

I also filled our rinse aid bottle with white vinegar and it works like a charm.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Yesterday was the long awaited pine wood derby day here in Bozeman. All the boys in my den had been working hard on their cars, my little man especially, so I thought I would share a little of the day. He and his dad designed, sanded and painted for weeks. The Destroyer did not exactly destroy but it was sure cute to watch and they all had a great time!

making final preparations

Derby Day!

Corbs had the biggest cheering section there with 14 of us! Seriously no worries, none of us have a competitive nature, yeah right!

For the first round of racing, all my boys were in one race! It was a rare photo opportunity.

and they are off!

All the boys had a great time and mine is already looking forward to next year!

yeah yeah yeah, I know my hair is way too short, nothing I can do about it now!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I have a blank wall left in Birdie's new room that has been driving me crazy. I decided to make a fabric pennant banner for the wall using leftover fabric that I had used in her room decor.

I didn't use a tutorial but wanted to have one for you so I searched and found a great one for you at Your Home Based Mom, thanks Leigh Anne.

I cannot wait to make one with lots of different fabrics but this one is just going to be some leftover coordinating fabrics from her curtains and quilt with some great applique.
I couldn't believe how easy it was. I made my own bias tape and was still done in less than 2 hours, applique and all! I used a rotary cutter for mine because I love the zig zag edge. I cut the letters using my cricut and the "Old West" cartridge. I think it turned out super cute. Now we just need to hang her rope underneath it and it is done!

Monday, February 20, 2012

So my cousin, Sarina, recently started sewing and asked me to help her recreate a dress I had made her daughter. Low and behold, she did an amazing job. She wanted a few more ideas for easy things to make for the little lady and her family so I am going to try and post a few tutorials here for easy to create projects! These are super simple, I promise you can do it!

Amryn's Bag

Materials Needed:

**2 pieces of fabric cut to the size of the bag you will want. I cut these at 12x16" just cause I thought it was a good little person size. It is going to be cut a couple inches longer than the finished product will be because you will need to miter the corners to create the bottom of the bag.

**You will need the inside liner of the bag, cut the same. I used an old curtain, get creative!

**AND, the same cut of interfacing. This will make the bag stiffer, easier to work with and it will retain its shape. I like to use 808 interfacing but use whatever you have. I have layered a thinner interfacing when I was out of others before.

Don't forget straps! I had this piece of woven strap leftover from another project and decided to use it. Since she is little I figure she probably doesn't need straps as long as one of my purses I make for an adult. You decide how long you would like them. For an adult shoulder bag, I cut mine about 36".

Here is everything cut out and ready to go.

First off, we need to iron on the interfacing (shiny side is sticky side) to the wrong side of the main purse sections. You can use a normal cotton setting and I like to use steam but it is whatever you feel comfortable with. you will need to press them together for a bit longer than ironing a piece of fabric. Don't leave it in one place to long but be sure they are stuck together!

shiny side of interfacing to wrong side of fabric

With right sides together sew 3 sides of your sections, leaving what will be the top of your bag open.

Next we are going to miter our corners, making a bottom for the bag. We have three seams in this project so grab one side and the bottom together, look in through the top and line up the seams.

Then on the outside, with the seams together, lay the bag flat and measure. I made this one 2" on either side of the seam.

create a line, pin if you like and then sew from edge to edge.

Do this on both corners of the outside and inside liners for the bag. When you turn the outside the right way it should look like this!

If you look at it now and it is too tall, now is a great time to cut some off the top. Remember to trim the outside AND the lining bags. Just line up the fabrics flat and cut away. I highly recommend using a rotary cutter to get the most accurate cut. I cut two inches off this one to make it a little smaller.

Almost done!! I think this is the easiest and less stressful way to finish a bag. Go back to your iron and press down an equal amount all the way around the top of the bag and liner. I usually press down about 1/2".

Finally, put turn your outside fabric to look like the bag again and then slip your inside lining inside. I like to pin all the way around, matching up the side seams.

Next, tuck your straps in between the layers and get them pinned in place. Be sure that they are the same length and directly across from each other! Personally, I like to pin everything and pin lots. Just make sure you take them out as you sew and not sew over them.

Sew around the top, taking out pins as you go. Voila! You are done!!! Enjoy your bag. As you get comfortable with creating things and with your machine. Experiment with pockets in your bags, different closures, applique or designs on the front, trim etc. The options are endless!

This finished little cowgirl bag with denim lining measures 11" across and 11" tall. Way cute!

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Hi, I am Heidi Fry. I am a stay at home mom in beautiful Bozeman, MT. I am a child of God, wife to Josh and mother of 4. I am an avid, competitive runner and cyclist as well as a creator of all the craziness that brews up in my mind. We have two kids the old fashion way and are currently awaiting the addition of a beautiful set of 6 year old twins (one boy, one girl) from The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)!! We hope you enjoy this journey with us!